One person can make a difference (a true feel good story)

[DCofVA]

When I was younger I was very prejudice. My dad had taught me to be that way. When I became an adult I began to reason my way beyond my prejudice but, it never completely left me. It became like a sleeping beast that under the right circumstances, would raise its ugly head and stir within me.
Such a moment happened during the LA riots. I think it was over the Rodney King verdict.
I was watching it on the news. Large numbers of very angry black people were out in the streets taking out there frustration on everything. A group pulled a white truck driver out of his truck and proceeded to beat him.
At this point, the beast (of prejudice) within me was not only awake but roaring loudly, then, on the edge of a crowd, I noticed a woman. Like the rest of them she was black but, she was not beating the downed man instead, she appeared to be very upset and trying to stop the others.
At this moment I got to witness the most selfless act I have ever seen in my life. It still brings tears to my eyes when I think of it.
This woman laid herself down on the man (who I am sure was a complete stranger to her), and used her own body as a shield from the blows of the angry crowd.
At that moment I thought to myself: how could I possibly be prejudice or hate a whole race of people when there were individuals such as this woman among them?
That was one of those life changing moments for me.
I can honestly say, that brave woman slew the beast within me that day. I would so much like to thank her.
Had this election been held before that day, I’m sorry to say, I would not have voted for Obama, simply because of the color of his skin, despite the fact that he has so many outstanding qualities and his opponent’s economic policies spell out almost certain doom for this country. Not that I would have voted for McCain either, I would have simply not voted.
A common theme in Obama’s speeches is how one person can make a difference well, the selfless black woman in the crowd sure made a difference to me. She opened my eyes and my mind and set me free. I voted for Obama in the primaries and I will vote for him in November and I can’t wait to call him President Obama!
And guess what else?! My dad who had taught me to be so prejudice, well, I helped to bring him around. He will be voting for Obama too!

[rurallib]

1. So hard to give uip what your parents teach you

despite all evidence to the contrary sometimes.

[TNMOM]

2. this is a great story..

I've got a similar one, but I'm still working on the my parents.

[blue neen]

3. It took extreme courage for that woman to do what she did,

and it has taken courage and wisdom on your part to make a change in how you view this life.

Congratulations, and here's to victory in November! :toast:

[Arctic Dave]

4. Your choice took courage, You are a real man.

[Pushed To The Left]

5. K&R! That was a beautiful post.

Sometimes it does just take one person or one thing to make people come around.

[dgibby]

6. Thanks. I lost a good friend over this stuff.

A friend of mine moved to Fla to be near her grandchildren. Unfortunately, her daughter is a fundie who does not tolerate any diverse opinions. My friend, who, heretofore, had never exhibited any overt racism, started sending me "fringe" e-mails, "jokes", etc, asking me to forward them. I never did, just hit the delete button, but when she sent me an article from Pat Buchanan, which stated, among other things, that blacks should be grateful that white Americans brought them here in slave ships and introduced to Jesus Christ, thus "saving" them, it was more than I could take. I responded that I would appreciate it if she would not send me anymore racist literature. I also told her that I loved her, but that I was saddened to learn that she harbored these feelings against other human beings. Needless to say, I haven't heard from her since, but you know what? That's OK with me. If there's one thing I DON'T need, it's toxic people in my life. I'm sure I didn't convert her (obviously, she drank the kool-aid), but at least, my in-box isn't cluttered up with this trash!:hi: :kick: